Vikings Message Board.Com

King James wrote:Yeah I know im going to get drilled for this but I just want to give my honest assessment on why Ponder can still succeed in this league.

Now I'm not saying that Ponder is an elite QB my any chance. He is also not and probably never will be a good pocket passer. He will never have a rocket arm but he can STILL make NFL throws. Now I think the problem is the offensive system not Ponder. Check this out, Ponder is not RGIII, Russell Wilson, or Michael Vick. He can still make plays with his feet though. I think the problem is that the coaches are trying to make Ponder fit the system, rather than fixing the system to his strength. It's not with just Ponder, its also with a lot of players on this team. Just like our 2 outside press corners (Rhodes and Cook) who are being force to run a cover 2 zone rather than letting them play more man coverage.

This is a about Ponder. Im not saying this is the answer to fixing our offense, but I think that Ponder would succeed more running the ball. It's a win-win really. He can either run the ball and make plays, or run the ball can get injured. Not that I wish injury but if Ponder got injured, the nay-sayers will get their wish of Ponder not starting anymore.

Ponder can be a read option guy. He barely stays in the pocket as it is and has more speed than people think. People expect Peterson to run the ball but not Ponder to tuck and run. I think the Ponder running the ball more will keep defenses from pressuring him as much. I don't see why the coaches cant exploit this with Ponder. He will never be a pocket passer like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Nor will he have their arm strength. But what he does have over them is ability to escape the pocket and make plays with his feet. Ponder needs to be able to hit wide open receivers! I mean he missed Jennings by 5 yards on the last drive that should have ran the clock out on. If Ponder can be a better passers then I do see his running game be even better. But what I will say is this the offensive line has NOT done a good job protecting Ponder or giving AP the holes he needs to have the big rushing games.

If Ponder does this more I think we can have more success on offense. This is just my opinion though. It worked with Colin Kaepernick last year.

mansquatch wrote:He is obviously a smart guy and mechanically can probably figure some stuff out. However, I think most of his issues are mental, not physical. I really think he is a guy who wants to think things through vs. make the snap decisions. This speaks to the confidence issue, which is why I listed it first. I have no idea if Ponder can make the step to the next level on these issues.

VikingsFanInCA wrote:If anyone 'believes' in Ponder at this point, ask yourself this:

If Ponder was released today, who would pick him up?

Anyone?

MelanieMFunk wrote:James, buddy,

PurpleMustReign wrote: Oh stop. One decent game by Ponder means nothing. Even TJack had a decent game one time.

PurpleMustReign wrote: Oh stop. One decent game by Ponder means nothing. Even TJack had a decent game one time.

PurpleMustReign wrote: Oh stop. One decent game by Ponder means nothing. Even TJack had a decent game one time.

Valhalla wrote: Ponder has played poor in most all his games but his last 2 have actually been pretty good. He played well enough versus Dallas.